Spokane Washington wildfires destroy about 600 structures as evacuations continue
Wind-driven fires around Spokane destroyed about 600 structures, forced mass evacuations and left thousands without power.
By Sal Moretti · Money Reporter
2 min read
The Spokane Washington wildfires tore through neighborhoods on Aug. 1 and 2, destroying about 600 homes, businesses and other buildings as officials ordered mass evacuations across the area.
The reported destruction figure is not a count of homes alone. It includes residences, businesses and other structures, according to CBS News. The three principal fires around Spokane were the Old Trails Fire, Fairview Fire and Autumn Lane Fire, with Autumn Lane incorporating the blaze previously called the Meadowview Fire.
What is the latest on the Spokane wildfires?
As of Sunday, Aug. 2, the fires remained an active and changing emergency. CNN reported that about 60,000 people had been evacuated from Spokane, while officials were still working through the full extent of the damage.
Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels said no serious fire-related injuries or deaths had been reported. Officials cautioned that assessments would take time. CBS News separately reported that no deaths had been reported in the Spokane area as of Sunday.
Fire conditions shifted quickly. CBS News reported zero containment Sunday afternoon. Later Sunday, Spokane City Fire Chief Tom Williams told CNN that the Autumn Lane Fire was still active and not contained, although crews had relatively good control of its outer boundaries.
Wind was a central problem from the start. The Spokesman-Review reported gusts of 35 to 45 mph pushed the Old Trails Fire from the West Plains through Riverside State Park and across the Spokane River into Spokane. A federal response official told CBS News that steep slopes and canyons around the city could funnel winds and make fire behavior harder to predict.
The Old Trails Fire had reached 3,509 acres by 8:20 p.m. Saturday, according to the Spokesman-Review. The National Weather Service issued a particularly dangerous red-flag alert for eastern Washington, CBS News reported, and the state issued air-quality warnings as smoke spread across the region.
How many people lost power and what help is arriving?
Avista said more than 30,000 customers lost power at the outage peak. A little over 10,000 remained without electricity Sunday evening, CBS News reported. The utility said crews could not reach some affected areas because of the fires and evacuation orders.
Gov. Bob Ferguson declared a state of emergency Saturday. FEMA authorized firefighting funds for the Sinlahekin, Fairview and Autumn Lane fires, according to CBS News. CNN reported that more than 100 National Guard members were assisting in Spokane County, alongside personnel and equipment sent from outside Washington.
Washington Public Lands Commissioner Dave Upthegrove said 15 major fires were burning statewide Sunday, covering more than 250,000 acres, with about 4,000 people involved in firefighting. Investigators had not determined what caused the Spokane-area fires, officials said.
This story draws on original reporting from CBS News.